For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
